Beat Dry skin!

Beat the winter dry spell. Now doesn’t that sound bizarre a dry winter in New Zealand? HA!

In the colder months we are often going from the cold, dry conditions outside to our warm, dry, artificially heated homes or workplaces. 

This wreaks havoc on our skin(and hair!) and can dry it out even if your skin doesn’t normally have a tendency to be on the dry side. I have normal to dry skin so in winter my skin feels so disgusting and it seems that my regular moisturisers just don’t do much.

So I researched it a little and found my solution, nature’s moisturiser: HONEY!

Yes, the stuff we use for toast or sandwiches and to naturally sweeten other things we consume.

Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts, retains and draws in moisture and because it is an anti irritant it makes it suitable for very sensitive skin (it also contains anti microbial properties and can help treat minor irritations and sunburn!). Honey can also help bring back silkiness and softness to the hair too ( I have included my hair regime in here too!)

Ok so I have been using this little skin regime 3 nights a week for a few weeks now and I have noticed a dramatic change in the condition of my skin, it has lost the awful, almost scaly feeling and its feeling soft, smooth and supple again. So I’ll outline for you what I do, you may want to follow it to a tee, you may chop and change a few things or you may not try it at all

Step One: First I wash, cleanse and exfoliate my face to remove dry skin and/or dead skin cells (I use Anew Clinical Micro Exfoliant which is more of a gentle at home micro dermabrasion type scrub but any regular exfoliant will do)

Step Two: Once I have thoroughly removed all traces of makeup, cleanser and exfoliant I pin and tie back my hair and pop on a 

headband. Then I put a towel around my neck to cover my chest and clothing (trust me, with honey on warm skin you need it).I then slather my face in honey (it feels weird but it does wonders). It is also good to use after an exfoliant (especially a rough one) as it helps soothe the skin

Step Three: For the next 10-15 minutes I sit with honey on my face like a mask. It is said that unfiltered, unprocessed honey is best but if you can’t find any, regular honey will do the trick. During this time the honey will melt and drip off your face, I just use a finger and slap it back on.

Step Four: After 10-15 minutes it’s time to rinse off the honey, I usually jump in the shower to do this as I can rinse it off thoroughly.

Step Five: You may notice that already your skin feels softer. I usually apply my regular night moisturiser and eye cream now. I also use Blistex Lip Conditioner SPF 20 every morning, noon and night

My hair regime is more focused on products but does include a step involving honey (my hair is already fried from bleaching).I also do this 3 times a week to coincide with my face routine at night. It is focused on making your hair look healthier as well as helping it repair

Step One: I take a hair masque (I use L’Oreal Elvive Total Restore 5 hair Masque) and apply to dry hair, I leave this for 10 minutes (the package says to use on towel dried hair after washing then rinse off after 2 minutes, but I find this way works well for me)

Step Two: After 10 minutes I rinse it out, I don’t use shampoo when I do this as it can strip the hair of its natural oils which I do not want to do. For the final rinse I use a cup full of water mixed with a teaspoon of honey

Step Three: After I towel dry my hair I apply a few drops of L’Oreal Elvive Smooth Intense Anti Frizz Serum through my hair. You are supposed to apply this either before or after styling (I can’t quite remember) on dry hair but I use it on damp hair as well as I find it works really well.

Step Four: At this point I will go to bed; I try not to blow-dry my hair too much because I also straighten it and like to avoid using too many heated appliances on my hair. If I must blow dry it I also use a heat protectant spray

Step Five: In the morning after straightening my hair I use a few more drops of L’Oreal Elvive Smooth Intense Anti Frizz Serum if I have any flyaways (generally I don’t after using it at night)

So I hope this helps anyone who may be struggling with their skin going dry on them in winter (well anytime of the year) and anyone who wants to make their hair look and feel healthier

Till Next time

Stay simply stunningly gorgeous!

Disclaimer: Please note that this is not to be used for skin conditions that need to be treated by a dermatologist or to replace a skin care regime recommended by a skin specialist,doctor or dermatologist. If you have serious skin conditions or the like please consult a dermatologist or medical professional before using any advice offered through this blog. I take no responsibility for any harmful reactions that may come from following the information provided here(Im covering my own butt here guys!)

Double Product Review: Anew Clinical Eyelift and Anew Clinical Micro-Exfoliant

Im way overdue to do the Anew Clinical Triple Eyelift review and I also really wanted to do a review on the micro-exfoliant so thought Id do a super quick double review

Both products are available exclusively through Avon (visit  avon.co.nz to find a representative in New Zealand)

First off I'll start with the Anew Clinical Micro-Exfoliant

I have been using this product since January and it is AMAZING! It is Avons "at-home alternative to microdermabrasion"

This is what the Avon Wesbite says about their product:
The at-home alternative to micro-dermabrasion. Targets dullness, roughness, lack of radiance, uneven tone. This creamy treatment with aluminium oxide microbead exfoliants (the same materials used in a professional microdermabrasion treatment) produces a powerful polishing action for more youthful-looking skin. Massage over skin using small, circular motions for 1-2 minutes. Follow with a non-AHA moisturiser with sunscreen. Do not use the same day as other exfoliating products. Use every second day.

I don't use this product every second day as I feel I dont need to(I use twice a week)
The first thing I found after using this product is there is no way I can massage it into my face for 2 minutes! The scrub, while the "beads" are tiny they are very rough,not a scratchy rough but more of an "Oh my gosh my skin is going to be so clean!" kind of way.

I feel if you have sensitive skin this may be a bit rough on the skin.

After using it my skin feels soft and looks amazing(considering I dont like my skin without make up that is saying something!). Since using this product I have noticed old acne scars around my chin have faded dramatically and I have been experiencing fewer blackheads. My skin looks younger and "fresher". While I have never tried other at home microdermabrasion kits or microdermabrasion itself this product sure kicks butt!

It comes in a 75g tube and a little goes a long way. It retails for $39.99 but Avon quite often have deals on alot of their products. Is it worth what you pay(even if you do pay full price)? YES YES YES!This exfoliant has become a staple in my skin care regimen.

Next up,Avons Anew Clinical Triple Eyelift

I never would have used this product or purchased it until I recieved it as a Xmas gift,I mean come on a cream that does the job of an eyelift?Not possible. Well it is, kind of!
Anew Clinical Triple Eye Lift comes in a jar sectioned into two parts,one part contains and orange gel for the upper eye area and the other contains a cream coloured cream for the under eye area.

This is what the Avon website says about this product
Unique, dual action formula to target the upper and lower eye area. Instantly: Lifts the appearance of upper eye contours. Smooths and tightens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
I have been using this for a few months now and what I have noticed is,my upper eye lids(which have always been quite "heavy") have "lifted" though slightly, still noticeable to myself(although I havent asked anyone"do my lids seem less droopy to you,they would think I am mad!) and I have noticed fewer fine lines. So I think it does do what it claims but if you want the results of an actual eye lift,you will have to go under the knife, sadly.

I have found I can only use this at night even though it says to use it morning and night,once the eye gel dries I cannot apply any product to my lids as the product "pills"( I dont even know if Im describing it properly!). The under eye cream is also quite heavy and primers and concealers just do not seem to sit nicely on top of my skin when this is applied beforehand.



It retails for $59.99 and as I said before Avon quite often have deals on, my personal advice is wait for these deals,while I love this product and use it every night, I would not pay $59.99(ask your avon rep to let you know when your fav products are going to be on special)

Till next time stay Simply Stunningly Gorgeous!